Notification of New Publications
and Services

If you would like to be notified of new publications and services that
the MBMG
offers, send
us your email address and we'll send you our latest
update!

Star fish in Montana...

In the summer of 2010, MBMG geologist Jay Gunderson discovered a very rare fossil star fish (or sea star) near the Pryor Mountains in south-central Montana. Since then, over 20 additional sea star specimens and parts have been discovered at the site. These are the first sea star fossils ever reported in Jurassic rocks of Montana. MBMG 660 provides a brief overview of the fossil site.

GM 65 — Geologic Road Map of Montana

Taking a road trip? MBMG's geologic road map is just what you need to make the view more interesting.

Now available! Stop at our Publication Office and pick up your copy today or order this on line.

IP 6

Coalbed-Methane Basics — Ten years of Lessons from the Powder River Basin, Montana

The Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology's 2012 publication Information Pamphlet 6, "Coalbed Methane Basics: Ten years of lessons from the Powder River Basin, Montana," by Elizabeth Meredith, John Wheaton, and Shawn Kuzara has won the John C. Frye Memorial Award from the Association of American State Geologists and the Geological Society of America.

The John C. Frye Memorial Award was established in 1989 by the AASG and the Geological Society of America to support the growth of environmental geology, which has steadily risen in prominence over recent decades. The Award is given each year to a nominated environmental geology report published in one of the three preceding calendar years either by GSA or by a state geological survey. A monetary award and a certificate to each author is presented at the AASG Mid-Year meeting, held at the GSA annual meeting.

John Metesh, Director of the MBMG, said: "We are very proud of our group from the Billings Office of the MBMG.
As the title suggests, this publication represents a lot of good work over many years."

GWOF 22

Nitrate in the Ground Water and
Surface Water of the Summit Valley near
Butte, Montana

This report
by MBMG researcher John LaFave, describes the elevated levels
of nitrate in ground water in the Summit Valley near Butte, and
assesses the hydrogeologic factors and land uses that may contribute
to nitrate contamination.

B 134

Sapphires in the Butte-Deer
Lodge
area, Montana

For anyone who is enthusiastic
about sapphires.

This stunning, full-color publication describes the
sapphire deposits and occurrences in the area north and west of Butte.
The identification, size, shape, color, and mineral inclusions of
sapphires in the area are discussed, with photos throughout.

SP 117

Probabilistic Earthquake Hazard
Maps for the State of Montana

Because
of the potential earthquake threat to dams in Montana, a set of
probabilistic earthquake ground motion maps have been developed
for the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation
(DNRC) Dam Safety Program.

The maps display ground motions for two site conditions: soft rock
and the ground surface. In addition to the ground shaking maps, a
set of 6 maps have been developed to aid DNRC
and practicing engineers in the analysis of site response and liquefaction
potential. These maps display the modal earthquake magnitude and
modal distance of the magnitude–distance distribution that
contribute to the hazard at a specified location for the three return
periods.

Need a well log?Montana's largest
source of water-well data, the GWIC database, is now online. Information
about well construction, historic water-level measurements, inventory
data, and water-quality information are just a few clicks away! Check
it out!

Montana
Topographic Maps

The topo indices for
the USGS 7½', 30' x 60', and 1° x 2° maps are completed
and can help our customers find the topo maps they need. Of course,
for any assistance you need for ordering, check with our publication
office at pubsales@mtech.edu or
call us at 406/496-4167!